Andrew Carr is Glad to Have his Sister at UK

Purdue transfer Lizzie Carr will give UK a proven 6-6 middle blocker. (UK Athletics Photo)

Purdue transfer Lizzie Carr helped the Boilermakers finish 27-7 last season that included a 16-4 mark in the competitive Big Ten. She averaged 1.52 kills per set and hit .301. Carr also averaged 0.63 blocks per set and had five solo blocks and 65 block assists last season.

“She is a great person from a great family,” Kentucky coach  Craig Skinner.

That “family” includes Kentucky basketball player Andrew Carr, a transfer from Wake Forest this year. He said it is “awesome” to have his sister at Kentucky.

“I fell in love with BBN and being able to shed some light on that for my sister. She was able to make her own decision to come here. She’s super excited to be able to be here in January. Carrs are Wildcats forever now,” the UK fifth-year senior said.

Lizzie Carr redshirted her freshman season in 2022 and played in 30 sets over 18 matches in 2023. She was named to the academic all-Big Ten team and also won the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2023.

The 6-6 Carr will be able to participate in spring matches and have two years of eligibility remaining. The middle blocker played club volleyball in high school for East Coast Power Volleyball and her team finished fifth at the AAU Nationals.

“The best of Lizzie Carr is still to come,” Skinner said. “She is versatile and tall and played the right side and the middle. We will give her opportunities at both to see what she can do.

“We have definitely added height at the net we have missed a lot. When you are going against some of the most physical athletes in the country it is nice to have size at the net and she brings that.”

Skinner also added another Purdue transfer, Eva Hudson, after Carr made her move. Hudson led the Big Ten in total kills with 4.81 per set last season. She was  Big Ten Freshman of the Year at Purdue in 2022, a three-time all-conference pick, and an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America in 2023.

The 6-1 outside hitter gives Skinner another dynamic player to go with sophomore Brooklyn DeLeye,  the SEC player of the year and one of four finalists for national player of the year. Hudson hit .455 and .562 in her two NCAA Tournament matches this season and hit .287 for the 2024 season on almost 1,500 swings.

“She is an extremely talented player who adds a dynamic level of attacking to our offense,” Skinner said.

DeLeye hit .294 last season with 531 kills. She also had 56 service aces and 179 digs.

“At times because Brooklyn is so talented we relied on her too much,” Skinner said. “We have got to have balance to win matches in the (NCAA Tournament) Sweet 16. She likes taking a lot of swings but we’ve got to have more balance and not rely on her all the time.”